? how to manage gasoline spending

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-1999
? how to manage gasoline spending
5
Wed, 09-10-2008 - 12:06pm

A couple of weeks ago I thought it would be a good idea for me to have a separate card to use for gasoline purchases *only* so I can easily track how much it is costing me.

I use my debit or credit card, and yes, I could go through the statements...I could just write it down on a piece of paper too.

But I got the idea that I would like to have a gas company charge card. I buy all my gas at one station, so this would work. I don't buy from various stations because the price is all the same.

Used to be you could get a gas company credit card. Not so anymore. They are all Mastercards that you can use for everything under the sun, so I am questioning whether I want that, in principal really. I would only use it for gas. It just bugs me you can't get a plain old gas company card anymore.

I also checked online to see if they had re-fillable gift cards (ie, Starbucks cards, which I think are brilliant marketing)..but doesn't look like it.

I'm frustrated. I was trying to do something I thought was pro-active to budget/manage/monitor my gasoline spending, and I feel thwarted...I am moving into a shared accommodation situation with people I don't yet know, so I'm not gung-ho to use cash.

I have to get gas today, so I will go to the station I like to support, and see what their gift card situation is. I'm in Canada...anyone have any ideas or thoughts to add?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-09-1999
Wed, 09-10-2008 - 12:33pm

Hi, the gas prices are so high right now.

Avatar for londonrose2001
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
Wed, 09-10-2008 - 1:05pm

Last month I added up all of our gas spending, as shown on our debit card statement, which dh & I both always use for gas. I almost had a heart attack.


$505.00


I also use the grocery store station and have paid as little as $2.50 a gallon.


The only other thing I could think of was an Amex or Visa gift card, which yes, you can use anywhere, but at least you wouldn't be charging anything on it.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-06-2003
Wed, 09-10-2008 - 11:19pm

Hi Rebecca,

Recently I got a Visa gift card as a birthday from my employer. It is issued by Citizens Bank of Canada and you can reload it to your heart's content within the expiry date which is a year and you can use it practically anywhere that Visa is accepted by merchants.

Here is the link to the website: www.myrewardcard.ca or you can call 1-866-298-2854 for more information and to see if it's available in your area. Forgive me if it offends anyone that I posted the link.

Hope that helps,
Kassandra

Kassandra


"It is said that life has its peaks and valleys.

Kassandra

"It is said that life has its peaks and valleys.  The challenge is to accept them equally and experience them

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2003
Thu, 09-11-2008 - 10:34am

I do similar to what Cindylee does. Every pay I put aside $40 cash and thats what I use for gas money. Mine is low because I don't drive to work, so often $40 is too much. If I have extra I put it aside in a jar so that months when I am doing more driving then normal its there!


I understand the concern about roommates, but what about finding a hiding place in your room to keep extra cash? I have on because I like to have cash on hand in case I ever need to pay for a cab to get home, or some emergency pops up! Hope this helps!


Bex -


"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift -thats why its called the present."



Bex -

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-1999
Thu, 09-11-2008 - 10:41am

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am going to check out the Visa gift card thing, I think that might work.

I am spending about $200 a month on gas and I need to have a good way to find out.

I was thinking that I could put $200 a month on a dedicated card (hence my search for one), and if at the end of each month I have $ left on it, I only have to put enough $ on it bring it back up to $200. Whatever amount I don't have to put on the card to bring it back up to $200 can get transferred to savings.

I could do the same with cash too, that's a good idea.